14 credits
required for program
- Available Online
Cost
$595 + $25 tech fee per credit
Timeframe
8 months
Interested in a healthcare administration degree? Discover our graduate certificate in Healthcare Management (HCM) that prepares you to step into positions of leadership in the quickly growing field of healthcare with industry-specific knowledge and God-honoring management skills.
Applications for the 2026–27 academic year are not being accepted at this time.
Our online graduate certificate in healthcare management may be the right fit if you…
- Have an interest in the healthcare field, but don’t necessarily feel called to direct care clinical work
- Want to build a foundation for a career in one of the fastest growing industries
- Value faith-infused curriculum that enables you to model God-honoring leadership in healthcare organizations
Why pursue a graduate certificate in healthcare management at Northwestern?
Our graduate certificate in healthcare management is intentionally designed to be realistically attainable and undeniably valuable. Students pursuing this certificate receive instruction in finance, policy, ethics, and legal issues specific to healthcare. Graduate with a competitive edge and solid foundation for success in meaningful positions of leadership in the healthcare administration industry.
Program Features
This program offers specialized training in healthcare policy, management, and systems, taught by expert faculty who are active professionals in their fields. Its faith-infused curriculum integrates faith with purpose, creating a meaningful learning experience, while courses are thoughtfully designed and optimized for quality and an engaging user experience.
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FAQ | HCM Certificate
What’s holding you back from taking the next step?
Definitely. We know it can be nerve-wracking to take the next step toward your goals, especially as you consider how pursuing a degree will fit into your busy life.
That’s why we’ve created a value-packed HCM program that provide a manageable workload for a busy adult. Experience flexible education and student-friendly courses all within a convenient online format—so you can complete coursework when it’s convenient for you.
Yes! It is a top priority to make quality education affordable so that you can ignite your calling right here at UNW. You can expect competitive tuition that’s actually less than the cost of most state undergraduate programs.
More than our commitment to an affordable education, though, is our commitment to a valuable one. Invest in an education at UNW that offers faith-infused learning, a highly interactive online community, courses taught by industry-active faculty, and a student-friendly course design.
Absolutely. We believe students of all ages thrive in a learning environment where they feel known, supported, and encouraged. Our online HCM program, steeped in faith-infused principles, offers access to free tutoring and coaching resources, personal academic advising, optional live-learning sessions, and—of course—our highly interactive virtual community.
Our curriculum is designed to provide you with a foundation for success in the real world. A graduate certificate in healthcare management can open doors to careers in settings such as:
- Senior care and nursing facilities
- Group homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Supportive care organizations
- Medical technology and equipment companies
Within such organizations, UNW alumni have taken on roles as healthcare administrators, health services managers, human resource coordinators, insurance specialists, medical device sales representatives, medical records managers, nursing supervisors, practice managers, and research managers.
We recognize that faith plays an important role in one’s professional life. Our online HCM courses provide a flexible space for students to explore their beliefs within the context of a healthcare setting. Not only will you be equipped with real-world knowledge, you’ll learn how to use it to be a God-honoring leader wherever your career takes you.
Program Highlights
View highlights, career paths and courses related to the MBA program.
What types of work are related to this degree?
A healthcare administration program provides you with a foundation for success in the real world. At UNW, earning an HCM certificate online will prepare you for careers in insurance, private practice, pharmaceuticals, and more.
What types of work are related to healthcare administration?
- Healthcare Administrators
- Healthcare Consultant
- Health Services Managers
- Human Resources Coordinators
- Insurance Specialists
- Medical Device Sales Representatives
- Medical Records Managers
- Nursing Supervisors
- Practice Manager
- Quality and Improvement Managers
- Research Managers
Note: Roles in some settings may require additional education or training.
What will I learn?
As you pursue an online graduate certificate in healthcare management at UNW, you will learn to lead in non-medical positions in the healthcare industry, such as accounting, marketing, and management. Dive into the dynamic industry of healthcare administration with the tools and training needed to provide wise, God-honoring leadership in healthcare organizations.
HCM5080
Healthcare Policy and Management
This course explores the management of healthcare operations within the constraints of regulation and policy. Students will assess the advantages and disadvantages of operating under nonprofit and for-profit guidelines. Additionally, students will explore how mission and vision intersect with effective management of teams. Case study and practicum will allow students to analyze managerial systems, such as TQM and Lean, to formulate recommendations for improvement of both internal and external operations.
HCM5085
Leadership in Healthcare
This course is designed to create a foundation for students to create strategies in casting vision and articulating missions that develop cultures centered on competency, compliance, quality, and sounds ethics. This is an application heavy class in which corporate leaders in local healthcare organizations will address the challenges in building healthcare organizations that deliver high quality care and maintain attractive cultures. Students will be required to analyze the healthcare philosophies of current leaders and develop their own philosophy of healthcare delivery, management, and leadership in a capstone Professional Values Statement.
HCM5087
Law and Ethics in Healthcare
This course explores the legal and ethical constraints in healthcare management. Students will critically analyze cases to identify areas of potential liability and problem solve to mitigate threats. Students will develop of understanding of applying legal policy to improve quality and facilitate good stewardship of financial and operational resources. Students will apply critical thinking to ethical cases to better understand how healthcare organizations must balance ethical behavior with other obligations, such as corporate governance and social responsibility.
HCM5089
Healthcare Financial Systems
This course provides an overview of the key concepts of the financial systems and operational requirements for sound financial decision making in healthcare organizations. Students will explore reimbursement types, capital allocation process, pricing and cost determination, corporate governance requirements, and operational impacts on financial management decisions.
Still have questions about this program or how to apply?
Our team is ready with answers!
Discover the Stoltz School of Business
Professors at Northwestern are focused on their students first. Our HCM faculty include experts in the field of healthcare administration who want to help you grow in your knowledge, skills, and faith while you earn your certificate.
Throughout the HCM program, study under professors who not only have decades of past experience but are active in the field of healthcare administration. This means you will have the opportunity to learn about real-world challenges, develop key leadership skills, and hone in on industry-specific expertise.
